Sargent AD8443 Classroom Funct...
IN STOCK (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)
$4,188.11
$2,814.27

Sargent AD8443 Classroom Function Narrow Stile Concealed Vertical Rod Exit Device with Freewheeling Trim

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Model: AD8443E 10BE
From the AD8400 Series Collection
$4,188.11
$2,814.27
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In Stock (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)

$4,188.11
$2,814.27
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Sargent AD8443 Concealed Vertical Rod Exit Device with Classroom Function and Freewheeling Trim

Professional Classroom Security Exit Device Solution

The Sargent AD8443 Concealed Vertical Rod Exit Device with Classroom Function and Freewheeling Trim is part of the 8400 Series designed specifically for narrow stile applications with classroom function capabilities. This UL Fire and Panic listed device accommodates doors from 1-3/4" (44mm) minimum thickness up to 2-1/4" thick, requiring a minimum 1-3/4" (44mm) stile width with hollow interior dimensions of at least 1-3/8" (35mm) square. The device features a center case measuring 8-3/8" x 2-5/8" and accommodates door openings up to 120" maximum height with stainless steel top bolt construction.

Professional Features & Benefits

  • Narrow Stile Compatibility: Designed for 1-3/4" (44mm) minimum stile width with hollow interior dimensions of at least 1-3/8" (35mm) square for versatile door applications.
  • Door Thickness Range: Accommodates hollow metal doors from 1-3/4" (44mm) minimum thickness up to 2-1/4" thick for various construction requirements.
  • Variable Rail Sizing: Factory-cut rails available in four sizes - E Rail (24" to 32" doors), F Rail (33" to 36" doors), J Rail (37" to 42" doors), and G Rail (43" to 48" doors).
  • UL Fire and Panic Listed: Certified for fire-rated applications with 650 Top Strike and 606 Bottom Strike for code compliance and safety assurance.
  • Stainless Steel Construction: Top bolt manufactured from stainless steel for durability and corrosion resistance in demanding environments.
  • Flexible Dogging Options: Standard hex key dogging on non-fire rated devices with optional cylinder dogging (#41 cylinder supplied) for operational convenience.
  • Comprehensive Electric Options: Available with AL- Alarm, BT- Beacon, PL- SARGuide Photoluminescent, TL- SARGuide Illuminated Touchpad, and monitoring options 53-59 for enhanced functionality.
  • Adjustable Device Height: Standard centerline at 41" (1041mm) from finished floor, with 38" (965mm) option for elementary schools and accessibility compliance.

Technical Specifications

  • Refer to manufacturer documentation for complete technical specifications.

Installation & Operation

  1. Review manufacturer specifications and verify door preparation requirements including door thickness, stile width, and handing as applicable to this product.
  2. Use manufacturer-provided templates to mark mounting hole locations accurately on door and/or frame surfaces.
  3. Prepare door and frame by drilling required holes and routing as specified in manufacturer instructions.
  4. Install all mounting hardware and secure the device to door and frame per manufacturer torque specifications.
  5. Adjust operational components for proper alignment, latching, and smooth operation throughout the full range of motion.
  6. Test device operation to verify proper function and make final adjustments as needed. Refer to manufacturer documentation for complete installation details and troubleshooting.

Professional Applications

  • Educational Facilities and Classroom Security
  • Commercial Office Buildings
  • Healthcare Institutions
  • Government and Municipal Buildings
  • Multi-Tenant Residential Properties
  • Industrial and Warehouse Facilities
  • Retail Establishments

Why Choose Sargent Quality?

Sargent AD8400 Series exit devices deliver professional-grade reliability with UL Fire and Panic listing and stainless steel construction for demanding commercial applications. The comprehensive range of electric options and flexible rail sizing ensures adaptability to specific project requirements. Engineered for educational and commercial environments where dependable classroom function performance is essential.

Product Specs

Series:
AD8400 Series
Product Group:
Exit Devices and Trim
Product Subgroup:
Exit Devices - Mortise
Product Type:
Exit Devices - Mortise
Subcategory:
Mortise Exit Devices
Commercial/Residential:
Commercial
Stile Type:
Narrow Stile
Lock Function:
Classroom
Grade:
Grade 1
Model Series:
AD8400 Series
Product Model:
AD8443
Product Function:
Classroom
Product Category:
Exit Devices and Trim
Collection:
AD8400 Series
Department:
Door Hardware

Sargent AD8443E 10BE – Frequently Asked Questions

1) Will the Sargent AD8443 fit a narrow stile aluminum door?
The AD8443 is built for narrow stile openings. It needs a minimum 1-3/4 inch (44mm) stile width with a hollow interior of at least 1-3/8 inch (35mm) square to take the concealed vertical rods. If your stile measures less than 1-3/4 inches, or the interior channel is obstructed or smaller than 1-3/8 inch square, the rods won't run and you need a different device.
2) What door thickness does the Sargent AD8443 exit device cover?
From 1-3/4 inches (44mm) minimum up to 2-1/4 inches thick on hollow metal doors. 1-3/4 inches is the standard commercial thickness, so most openings are covered, but the AD8443 also handles the thicker 2-inch and 2-1/4-inch doors that many devices stop short of.
3) How does classroom function work on the Sargent AD8443 with freewheeling ET trim?
Classroom function means the outside lever is locked or unlocked by key, and free egress from the inside is always available through the push rail. The freewheeling trim is the part that matters for abuse resistance: when the lever is locked, it spins free rather than transmitting force into the device, so a student hanging on the handle doesn't break the trim or the lock. That is why it shows up on school and campus openings.
4) Which rail size do I order for my door width on the AD8443?
Rails are factory cut to four sizes: E Rail covers 24 to 32 inch doors, F Rail 33 to 36 inch, J Rail 37 to 42 inch, and G Rail 43 to 48 inch. Ordering sizes run 32, 36, 42 and 48 inches. Measure the actual door leaf width, not the frame opening, and pick the band it falls into.
5) Do I have to specify handing on the Sargent AD8443?
Yes, and it is not field reversible on the order form. The AD8443 is specified either RHR (right hand reverse) or LHR (left hand reverse). Stand outside the opening: if the door swings toward you and the hinges are on the right, it's RHR. Exit devices are always on the push side, so reverse bevel handing is what applies here. If you need a non-handed narrow stile mortise device instead, the Von Duprin 5575 crossbar device is field reversible.
6) Can the Sargent AD8443 go on a fire rated opening?
It's UL Fire and Panic listed, used with the 650 Top Strike and 606 Bottom Strike. One caveat on ordering: mechanical hex key dogging is standard on non-fire rated devices only. A fire rated door cannot be dogged down, so if the opening is rated, plan on the device latching on every closure.
7) What other narrow stile mortise exit devices work on aluminum storefront doors besides the Sargent AD8443?
Two narrow stile mortise exit devices are close peers to the Sargent AD8443, which is a Grade 1 narrow stile device. The Adams Rite 8400 Series is a life-safety narrow stile mortise exit device for aluminum doors, Grade 1, and is not fire rated. The Von Duprin 5575 is a narrow stile crossbar mortise lock exit device, Grade 1, field reversible, in a 3 ft size for 1-3/4 inch doors, and is also not fire rated. The AD8443 differs from both in that it is a concealed vertical rod device with classroom function and freewheeling ET lever trim, where the 5575 uses a crossbar actuator rather than a push rail.
8) My door is a wide stile hollow metal fire door - what should I use instead of the Sargent AD8443?
The AD8443 is built for narrow stile openings with a 1-3/4 inch minimum stile width, so a wide stile hollow metal door calls for a wide stile device. The Corbin Russwin ED5600AL is a Grade 1 three hour fire rated wide stile mortise exit device for 1-3/4 inch doors that can run exit only or accept passage or classroom lever trim, which matches the classroom function of the AD8443. The Adams Rite 3300 Series is another fire rated Grade 1 wide stile mortise exit device, listed for wood and hollow metal doors.
9) Is the Von Duprin 5575 a direct replacement for a Sargent AD8443?
Not a direct swap. Both are Grade 1 narrow stile mortise exit devices, but the Von Duprin 5575 is a crossbar device that is field reversible and is not fire rated, while the Sargent AD8443 is a concealed vertical rod device that is UL Fire and Panic listed, handed RHR or LHR at the time of order, and latches top and bottom with a 650 top strike and 606 bottom strike. If the opening is fire rated or was prepped for concealed rods, the 5575 will not cover it.
10) I need a mortise exit device for a wood door - does the Sargent AD8443 or another device suit?
The Sargent AD8443 is specified for hollow metal doors from 1-3/4 inch up to 2-1/4 inch thick with a narrow stile profile, so wood is outside what it is written for. The Adams Rite 3300 Series is a fire rated Grade 1 mortise exit device for wood and hollow metal doors, and the Adams Rite 8300 Series is the life-safety, non-fire-rated Grade 1 version for the same wood and hollow metal range. Both are wide stile. The Von Duprin 8875 and 9875 are specifically listed as not wood door compatible, so rule those out for a wood opening.
11) What is the tallest door the AD8443 concealed vertical rod device will work on?
Openings up to 120 inches maximum height. The top bolt is stainless steel, and the center case measures 8-3/8 x 2-5/8 inches. Standard touchpad centerline is 41 inches (1041mm) off the finished floor, with a 38 inch (965mm) option commonly specified for elementary schools and lower reach ranges.
12) Should I use a concealed vertical rod device or a mortise exit device on a narrow stile aluminum door?
The AD8443 is a concealed vertical rod device: it latches at the head and the threshold, so it secures a pair of doors with no center mullion and keeps the rods hidden inside the stile for a clean look and less vandalism exposure. A mortise exit device latches into the frame at the strike jamb instead, which is simpler to install and service but needs a mullion on a pair. If you want narrow stile and mortise latching, look at the Adams Rite 8400 Series or the Von Duprin 5575; both are narrow stile mortise devices, though the Adams Rite 8400 is life-safety only and not fire rated.
13) What lever trim options come with the Sargent AD8443?
Eight ET lever designs are offered: A, B, E, F, J, L, P and W levers. You can also order the device on its own with no trim, which is the way to go if the outside face will be pull-only or you are reusing existing trim. Levers are the accessible choice over knobs, and picking one design lets you standardize across a whole building.
14) Can I dog down the Sargent AD8443 to keep the door push-pull during business hours?
Hex key dogging is standard on non-fire rated AD8443 devices. Cylinder dogging is available as an option and includes the #41 cylinder, which is what you want when you don't need maintenance staff carrying an Allen wrench or you want the dogging keyed into the building system. For scheduled unlatching, order option 58 electric dogging or 56 remote latch retraction instead.
15) Is the Sargent AD8443 Grade 1, and how does it compare to other Grade 1 exit devices?
The AD8443 is Grade 1, the highest ANSI/BHMA durability grade and what most institutional specs call for. Among the Grade 1 alternatives, most are wide stile and won't work on aluminum storefront: the Corbin Russwin ED5600AL is a 3 hour fire rated wide stile mortise device, the Detex 30 Series Advantex is wide stile and not wood door compatible, and the Falcon 25-M-EO is a wide stile exit only device. If the opening is genuinely narrow stile, the realistic cross-brand options are the Adams Rite 8400 Series and the Von Duprin 5575.
16) I do not need classroom lever trim, just a push-to-exit device - what is a simpler alternative to the AD8443?
The AD8443 is a classroom function device and is ordered with ET lever trim in A, B, E, F, J, L, P or W lever styles, or as device only. If the opening never needs keyed entry from outside, an exit only device is simpler: the BEST Precision 2301 is a mortise exit device in exit only configuration with heavy wrought construction, the Falcon 25-M-EO is an exit only Grade 1 wide stile mortise device in a 36 inch 3 ft size for 1-3/4 inch doors, and the Detex 30 Series Advantex is a Grade 1 wide stile mortise device supplied device only. All three of those are wide stile, so confirm your stile width before switching.
17) What finishes does the Sargent AD8443 exit device come in?
Twelve finishes: 03 bright brass and 04 satin brass clear coated, 09 bright bronze and 10 satin bronze clear coated, 10B oil rubbed dark oxidized satin bronze, 10BE and 10BL dark oxidized satin bronze, 20D dark statuary bronze lacquered, 32 bright stainless and 32D satin stainless, plus BSP black and WSP white suede powder coat. 32D satin stainless is the usual pick for schools and healthcare because it hides wear; the BSP and WSP powder coats are the ones to match dark or white painted aluminum storefront.
18) Which mortise exit device holds up best on a high abuse opening compared to the Sargent AD8443?
For abuse-prone wide stile openings, the Von Duprin 9475/9575 Impact Series uses a recessed push pad specifically for wide stile doors and is Grade 1, though it is not fire rated. The BEST Precision 2301 is offered with heavy wrought construction in an exit only mortise configuration. The Sargent AD8443 answers durability differently: it is a Grade 1 narrow stile device with a stainless steel top bolt and is UL Fire and Panic listed, so it remains the option where the opening is fire rated or the stile is too narrow for a wide stile chassis.
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Can I return it if it doesn’t work for me?
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Does the Sargent AD8443E 10BE come with a warranty?
Absolutely. The Sargent AD8443E 10BE is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. For full warranty terms, check the product documentation or Contact Us.
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